San Francisco 49ers trade Parys Haralson to New Orleans Saints

SANTA CLARA — Outside linebacker Parys Haralson exchanged farewell hugs and handshakes with about 30 players who were in the 49ers locker room after he got traded Monday to the New Orleans Saints.

It was not immediately known what the 49ers got in return for Haralson, who started 68 games in seven seasons before sitting out 2013 with a torn triceps.

Haralson cordially deferred comment to the 49ers' front office, other than to say: "I'm outta here."

"He was a good mentor, taught me a lot and best of luck to him in New Orleans," Aldon Smith said.

Smith replaced Haralson in the starting lineup last season at right outside linebacker, and Smith produced a franchise-record 19½ sacks.

Haralson tore his right triceps in the third exhibition last year and immediately got placed on injured reserve. That season-ending transaction was a move coach Jim Harbaugh said he regretted and wished Haralson could have eventually returned in their Super Bowl run.

Originally selected by the 49ers as 2006 sixth-round draft pick out of Tennessee, Haralson will join a Saints team that lost outside linebacker Will Smith to a season-ending knee injury Saturday. Haralson had 21﻿1/2 career sacks in 86 games.

Among the teammates who shook Haralson's hand before he left the team facility was running back Frank Gore, who shouted: "We play you. Be easy on me, dog." The 49ers visit New Orleans on Nov. 17.

Earlier this year, Haralson agreed to reduce his base salary to $1.15 million. Without Haralson, Smith and fellow starter Ahmad Brooks likely will be backed up this offseason acquisitions of Dan Skuta, formerly of the Cincinnati Bengals, and Corey Lemonier, a third-round draft pick out of Auburn. Also on the roster is Cam Johnson, a 2012 seventh-round pick.

Haralson's exit came a few hours after the 49ers cut five players: quarterback Scott Tolzien, offensive lineman Al Netter, punter Colton Schmidt, linebacker Joe Holland and running back D.J. Harper. The 49ers must cut 11 more players by 1 p.m. Tuesday to reach the 75-man limit.

Tolzien served as the No. 3 quarterback behind Alex Smith and Colin Kaepernick the past two seasons. "Scott was a technician of the game," said rookie B.J. Daniels, who's vying for that No. 3 role with recently acquired veteran Seneca Wallace. "I admired how Scott took notes and how he transferred that knowledge to the practice field."

Tolzien did not play in Sunday night's exhibition win over the Minnesota Vikings after experiencing back spasms in practice last week. He completed 18-of-34 passes (team-low 52.9 percentage) for 188 yards with no touchdowns and one interception through two exhibitions.

Tolzien was claimed off waivers from the San Diego Chargers after the 2011 exhibition season, and he's never played in a regular-season or postseason game.

Harbaugh announced after Sunday's game that Colt McCoy would be Colin Kaepernick's top backup.

Rookie Quinton Patton quickly stated his case for joining what likely will start out as a five-deep wideout corps. Patton's debut Sunday included a game-high four receptions for 35 yards, including a 19-yard catch on third-and-10 and a 5-yard touchdown grab on Kaepernick passes.

"Hey, balls came my way and I tried to make a play for my team," Patton said.

Added Kaepernick: "He is someone that is easy to have chemistry with. He knows where windows are in defenses. He knows how to get open." Kaepernick and Patton even showed off a pregame handshake routine -- two hand slaps, one salute. As for his arms-flailing touchdown dance, Patton said it was a tribute to his former Louisiana Tech teammate Dave Clark.

Guard Joe Looney said he meant no harm on a block that injured Vikings defensive tackle Kevin Williams. "I was playing to the whistle, and when I was throwing the block, I didn't want to take out his knee," Looney said. "I've been coached to go 110 percent to make this team." Looney was glad to hear tests revealed no no ligament damage to Williams knee.

Running back Marcus Lattimore was glad he met Vikings counterpart Adrian Peterson after Sunday's game. "He was real cool and wished me the best," said Lattimore, who'll likely sit out his rookie season with a 2012 knee injury.

Kendall Hunter reported no adverse effects from his first game action since his Nov. 25 Achilles tear.